“Hi Ma!”

Back in 1981 or 1982, I was seated at the kitchen table of my buddy Jeff’s childhood home. 

We were in the middle of an eating binge after playing golf.

We heard the door open and Jeff said:

“Uh-oh, Mom’s home.”

“Why is that a problem?” I asked.

“We just ate all the cold cuts and drank a gallon of milk,” he said.

Jeff’s Mom came in and looked at us. A huge smile lit up her face.

“I have pickles,” she said.

As we grew to adults both Jeff and I would greet one another’s Mom as though they were our Mom.

I always looked forward to the huge hug that Jeff’s Mom always gave me.

Jeff lost his Mom today.

It’s one of those seismic losses that shakes a town, and brings tears of loss to a tremendous family, as well as the entire North Collins community.

As the years passed, the smiles grew bigger, and the hugs were stronger.

The Renaldo’s and the Fazzolari’s have been shaken by loss, and all sorts of things that life brings.

And tackling those losses together, with an unbreakable bond, and with love as a guide, we’d greet one another the same way every time.

“Hi, Mom!” I would say, and I would move in for the big hug and a kiss on the cheek.

And here’s the thing that always got me…

…Jeff’s Mom’s eyes would fill with tears.

Every time.

Because she knew I loved her and her boys and her entire family.

And because she loved me back.

I loved seeing those tears.

I’m gonna’ miss them…

…and I’m carry those hugs in my heart forever.